Center for Applied Linguistics

Report From the National K-12 Foreign Language Survey
NEW!
CAL surveyed public and private elementary and secondary schools across the country to identify current patterns and shifts in foreign language education over time.

Learn more about the survey and read the executive summary.
Order online at the CAL Store.

COPI - the next generation of the SOPI
Now available in Arabic and Spanish, the Computerized Oral Proficiency Instrument (COPI) is a computer-based, semi-adaptive test of Arabic and Spanish oral proficiency. Learn more.

Multimedia Rater Training Program (MRTP)
The MRTP is a computer-assisted professional development tool that teaches professionals to rate oral proficiency through authentic language samples from the Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview (SOPI). Learn more.

Strategies for Building U.S. Foreign Language Capacity
This paper describes the need for skilled speakers of languages other than English in the U.S. and outlines the necessary components for an effective long-term national strategy to meet that need. Read the paper.(PDF, 590 KB)

Resources Focus on Language Proficiency Assessment in Grades K-8
CAL offers innovative language proficiency assessment instruments designed to allow young students to demonstrate their highest level of performance in oral fluency, grammar, vocabulary and listening comprehension. Professional development workshops for the SOPA, ELLOPA, and COPE provide training for educators on the effective use of these assessments. SOPA Online Training courses teach participants how to administer and rate students' oral language using the SOPA. Learn more.

What's Different Cover Image Institutes on Teaching Reading to English Language Learners
CAL is offering five upcoming Institutes in 2009 and 2010 featuring our What's Different? professional development program. The next Training of Trainers Institute will be held in October 2009. Learn more.

CAL is working with the National Security Education Program to improve the English proficiency of U.S. heritage populations who have expertise in critical languages. Learn more.

Researchers Urge Use of Stimulus Funds to Address the Needs of English Language Learners
The Working Group on ELL Policy has prepared a set of recommendations designed to guide discussion and decision-making on how to use ARRA funds to better serve English language learners in schools across the United States. Read the full report.

Great Lakes East Comprehensive Assistance Center
Learn more about our work with the Center and view a focused page on resources available for English language learners.

Read about the centers housed at CAL.

Foreign Language Assessment Directory (FLAD)
The FLAD is a free, searchable directory of information on nearly 200 tests in over 90 languages. Search the directory.

FLAD Companion Tutorial
CAL has developed an online tutorial, Understanding Assessment, designed to act as a companion piece to the FLAD, helping educators choose the most appropriate test for their needs. View this new resource.

Digest now available in Spanish!
Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research
This digest, now available in English or Spanish, helps heritage language classroom teachers, and other professionals who work with bilingual children and their parents, address common parental concerns about their children’s language development and become familiar with the research on this topic. Read this digest in English or Spanish.